Draft-gear.



J. F. CUURSON.

DRAFT GEAR.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 28. |911.

g INVENTOH.

JOHN F. COURSON, OF PITCAIRN, PENNSYLVANIA.

bizarr-GEAR.

specification of Letters Patent. patented Nov, 20, 1917o Application filed March 28, 1917. Serial No. 157,885.

T o all whom it may concern Be it known that I, JoHN F. CoUnsoN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Pitcairn, in the county of Allegheny and State of Penrsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Draft- Gears, oi' which the following is a speciiication.

My invention is an improvement in draft gears of the class utilizing spring resistance, and is designed to provide for the absorption of the shocks of bufling and pulling strains by means of annular springs, and co-acting mechanism, as hereinafter described.

The present invention is similar in theory of operation to that disclosed in my pending application filed December 18,1916, Serial No. 137,496. v In the present applica tion I provide a pair of annulail springs em-v bracing longitudinally movable members operable in one direction or the other by pressure ot' a single transverse key con-v nected with the draw bar. The annular springs are located one at each side of the draw bar and embrace the movement-imparting mechanism wliichis engaged by the key at each side of the draw bar, the key extending through the central sills at each side beyond and being mounted in reinforced slots therein. The gear effects elongation of the springs in one direction or the other in bufiing or pulling, whereby the sides of the springs are changed in position inwardly toward -the longitudinal eenter of the gear and with a resulting increase of resistance proportional to the strain, effecting a resulting reaction and desirable resistance.

Preferred constructions or" the invention are shown in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view through a complete gear as as. sembled in normal relaxed position, indicated by the line l, l, of Fig. 2.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal horizontal section on the line Il, Il, of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1, but showing the spring elongated under action oi' baiting strains.

Fig. 4 is a cross section 0n the line IV,IV, of Fig. l.

Fig. 5 is a cross section on the line V, V, of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a detail perspective view ofthe sliding stop block.

Fig. 7 is a similar view 'of one of the center sill abutment plates.

-Fig. 8 is a simlar view of one of the terminal bearing cap members for the key block.

Fig. 9 is a view similar toFig. 1, but showing a modified construction.

.Fig 10 is a longitudinal horizontal sectional view indicated by the line X, X, of Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a view similar to Fig. 9 showing n the spring elongated under bufiing strains, as in Fig. 3.

Fig. 12 is a transverse sectional view on the line XII, XH, of Fig. 9. i

Fig. 13 is a perspective detail view of one of the sliding stop blocks.

Fig. 14 is a similar view of one of the center sill abutments.

In the drawings, bar of the coupler connected with the lat'- erally arranged sliding stop blocks 3 by a transverse bolt or key 4, engaging holes 5 thereof. The sliding stop blocks, which are generally rectangular `in construction, are slidably mounted between the abutment lugs 6, 6, of the center vsill abutment plate 7.

Said plate as shown is riveted tothe inner side of each center sill 8 and is provided with a longitudinal clearance slot 9 coincilcling with a similar slot 9 in the center si ment lugs 6 may be of other construction as., for instance, the form shown in modified construction illustratedl on Sheet 2 of the drawings, or otherwise. I do not therefore wish to be restricted to the particular manner of making them integral with the single plate 7, as shown, although such form is good construction and provides for the definite spacing .of the abutment lugs and their fixed connection with the under frame. Vhen made in the form shown, plate 7 may be provided with a closed-end slot at its rear portion whereby to provide additional :reinforcement Jfor the center sills Linder such buiiing strains as are suli'icient to carry the key -1 clear back to the ends of the slots.

v'lflie other end of the slot may be open as 2 represents the drawV It will be understood that the abut! shown, or closed at both ends if desired, the reduced strains in pulling not requiring any unusual reinforcement.

For the purpose of providing reduced bearings for the inner end portions of the tension springs, l provide the bearing caps 10 having upper and lower abutting lip portions 11-11 fitting over thel ends of `the slid kng stop blocks 3 and movable therewith away from the abutment lugs 6, under action of key J1.

vThe ,terminals of lips 11 bear inwardly against lugs A'6 in normal position, providing resisting engagement for oneset of the bearing caps or the other, dependent upon the direct on of strain.

The'active shockabsorbing element of the gear is an annular spring 12 of one or more continuous `bands of suitable resilient material such as steel and which is Vof circular or oval form as shown in Figs. 1 and 3.

The sprlng as thus made embraces .the

rounded ends of bearing caps 10 'and surrounds the intervening' mechanism, preferably :under 'some reduced `tension in normal position.

"T he outer portion of each center sill 8 is preferably reinforced by asuitable abutment member as a plate 13, which may conform Vgenerally to the shape of the base Aplate 7, having a corresponding vcentral slot, and may be conveniently connected therewith and with the center sill members by rivets 'as shown.

The construction and 'operation 4of the gear will be readily lunderstood by y.all those lfamiliar with this vclass of mechanism.

vdegree of movement in buliing or pulling,

and'tendin g to resume its vcircular form upon termination of such strains.

in Figs. l9, 10 and 11, I show a modified Iconstruction of parts in which `the draw bar 2 is connected by a transverse lbolt or key ta with the oppositely located sliding stoa 4blocks 3a 3 venOaO'in the inner end l. 7 7 .b .C

most grooves or recesses 5" thereof. The stop y'blocks in such construction kare independently separable and each provided with -1 rounded terminal 101, preferably integral therewith, the blocks being provided at `their upper and 'lower inner portions with longitudinal slide-ways 3a adapted to fit and vslide lupon the `stop abutments 6a. uThese abutftral portion of the gear. .rangement of abutments 6 or 6a the sliding ments, as shown in Fig. 1&1, are of rectang lar vbar construction, riveted to the center sills S2L byrivets .7"l above and below the cenl/V ith either arstopblock 3 orblocks 3a are housed in such a manner as to provide for good support,

.compact construction and fi'ee action in the manner described.

Annular springs 12a embrace the longitudinally Aseparable portions of the gear, as thus arranged, each spring engaging by its opposite .inner end 'portions the .rounded ends 10a of separable blocks 3a.

The operation ofthe gear is substantially the same as above described, t'. c. Vmovement of the draw bar and key in either direction operating to press "the 'two opposite sliding blocks?)a together away vfrom their relatively stationary companion blocks and from 'the resisting abutments 6a.

'The mechanism is preferablylocated somewhat rearwardly of the end sill Aof the under "frame, whereby 'to provide for ample space and facility of 'erection or taking apart, and lit will be observed that the severa-l parts yof the gear, other than the liXedly attached portions, 'ma-y be `applied or removed by merely withdrawing the Vsingle transverse :key 4 or 4a.

The construction `is comparatively simple, comprising Ifew parts, it is not liable to get out of order, and the gear `has a high yelliciency or resisting action under the -continuous heavy shocks incident to the usual traffic movements. The invention may be vchanged or vmodified by the Vskilled. mechanic in different details, proportions, design, or in other respects, but all such changes `are to be considered as within the scope 'of the vfollowing claims.

lllhat I claim is :M 1. In a gear, a pair of separable bearing members, an intervening :abutment therefor, means'for inovingone bearing member away rom the other, andan annular spring embracing said members.

Q. ln ya gear, avpair of separable bearing members, an intervening abutment therefor,

means for moving one bearing member away from the abutment, andan annular spring embracing ysaid members.

3. `ln a gear, a pair of separable bearing members, an intervening abutment there1 for, a sliding block vengageable with either of said :bearing members, actuating means engagir g said block, and an annular spring embracing said members.

4. In a gear, a .pair of separable bearing memlei's, an intervening `abutment therefor, a sliding block 'engagea'ble with either of said bearing members, resilient means for opposing the separation of the bearing members, a draw bar, land a key connecting the drawbar with the sliding block.

5. In a gear, a continuous annular spring, a pair of separable tension exerting membersengaging the spring at opposite inner portions, an intervening resisting abutment for said members, a sliding block engaging each of said members, and means engaging said block operable to move it in either direction.

6. In a gear, a continuous annular spring, a pair of separable tension exerting members engaging the spring at opposite inner portions, an intervening resisting abutment for said members, a sliding block engaging each of said members, a drawbar, and a key connecting the drawbar with the sliding block.

T. In a gear, oppositely arranged sets of pairs or' separable bearing members, abutments between the members of each pair of bearing members, means for moving the bearing members at one side of said abutments away from the members at the other side thereof, and an annular spring embracing each pair of bearing members.

8. In a gear, oppositely arranged sets of pairs of separable bearing members, abutments between the members of each pair of beai'ing members, means for moving the bearing members at one side of said abutments away from said abutments and an annular spring embracing each pair of bearing members.

9. In a gear, oppositely arranged sets of pairs of separable bearing members, abutments between the members of each pair of bearing members, a pair of sliding blocks engageable with either bearing member at each side, actuating means engaging said blocks, and an annular spring embracing each pair of bearing members.

10. In a gear, oppositely arranged sets of pairs of separable bearing members, abutments between the members of each pair of bearing members, a pair of sliding blocks engageable with either bearing member at each side, resilient means for opposing the separation of the bearing members, a drawbai, and a key connecting the drawbar with the sliding blocks.

11. In a gear, a pair of continuous annular springs, oppositely located sets of pairs of separable tension exerting members engaging. the springs at opposite inner portions, intervening resisting abutments for said members, sliding blocks engaging said members, and means engaging said blocks operable to move them in either direction.

12. In a gear, a pair of continuous annular springs, oppositely located sets of pairs oic separable tension exerting member-sengaging the springs at opposite inner portions, intervening resisting abutments for said members, sliding blocks engaging said members, a drawbar, and a key connecting the drawbar with the sliding blocks.

13. In combination, longitudinally slotted center sills, inwardly extending abutments secured thereto, oppositely movable spring actuating members adapted to engage said abutments and to be moved away therefrom by a transverse key, annular springs enibracing said members, a drawbar, and a transverse key extending therethrough and through the slotted sills.

14. In combination, longitudinally slotted center sills, inwardly extending abutments secured thereto, oppositely movable spring actuating members having stop portions extending toward said abutments, annular springs embracing said members, a drawbar, and a transverse key extending therethrough and between the spring actuating members and through the slotted center sills.

15. In combination with center sills having inwardly extending bearing abutments and clearance slots, a drawbar, a transverse key extending therethrough and into said slots, sliding blocks on said key, spring bearing caps on said blocks arranged to engage said abutments and annular springs embracing said bearing caps.

16. In combination, longitudinally slotted center sills, inwardly extending abutments secured thereto, inner center sill reinforcing portions, oppositely movable spring actuating members having stop portions extending toward said abutments, annular springs embracing said members, a drawbar, and a transverse key extending therethrough and between the spring actuating members and through the slotted center sills.

17. In combination, longitudinally slotted center sills, inwardly extending abutments secured thereto, inner and outer center sill reinforcing portions, oppositely movable spring actuating members having stop portions extending toward said abutments, annular springs embracing said members, a drawbar, and a transverse key extending therethrough and between the spring actuating members and through the slotted center sills.

18. In combination, longitudinally slotted center sills, inwardly extending abutments secured thereto, spring actuating members movable between said abutments by a transverse key, annular springs embracing said members, a drawbar, and a transverse key extending therethrough and through the slotted sills.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aiix my signature.

JOHN I4". COURSON.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by'addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

